Massie, Khanna, and Others Introduce the "Epstein Files Transparency Act II"

A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced H.R. 9694, the Epstein Files Transparency Act II, to enforce the original Epstein Files Transparency Act, enacted in November 2025. Rep. Thomas Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna are leading the House bill with Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández; Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ben Ray Luján are leading its Senate counterpart. They say the Justice Department has failed to release millions of required records and has applied excessive redactions. The lawmakers argue that the original law needs stronger enforcement and that survivors and the public are being denied information and accountability.

The bill would let state attorneys general, district attorneys and other authorized state officials, members of Congress, and victims sue the U.S. attorney general over withheld, delayed, concealed, removed, or improperly redacted records. Victims could obtain unredacted files concerning themselves or the harm they suffered, including relevant FBI interview reports. The proposal would require DOJ to give state and local prosecutors unredacted records needed for investigations and court proceedings, with secure access to classified materials, and would apply existing federal criminal penalties to officials who knowingly mishandle or misrepresent files. It also bars DOJ from using common-law privileges, such as deliberative-process privilege, to avoid disclosure. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez supports the measure, citing the need for records in state investigations and survivors’ access to their own files. If the House does not consider the bill within seven legislative days, sponsors plan to circulate a discharge petition.